2018 Houston Astros season

The 2018 Houston Astros season was the 57th season for the Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise located in Houston, Texas, their 54th as the Astros, sixth in both the American League (AL) and AL West division, and 19th at Minute Maid Park. The first-time-ever defending World Series champions with a four-games-to-three decision over the Los Angeles Dodgers, Houston also won their first AL pennant and AL West division title. Their 101–61 record was the second 100-win regular season in franchise history.

Houston began the season on March 29 against their in-state rivals, the Texas Rangers, as ace Justin Verlander made his first Opening Day start as a member of the Astros. George Springer recorded the first six-hit performance in a nine-inning game in franchise history on May 7. Verlander recorded his 2,500th career strikeout on May 16, becoming the 33rd pitcher in MLB history to achieve the feat. From May 25–27, Jose Altuve recorded a base hit in each of 10 consecutive at bats, breaking his own club record.

In the amateur draft, the Astros' first round selection was first baseman Seth Beer at 28th overall, and in the third round, shortstop Jeremy Peña. The Astros were recognized with the Best Team ESPY Award based on their play since the previous June.

The Astros once again sent a league-high six players to the 2018 All-Star Game, including third baseman Alex Bregman, second baseman Altuve, outfielder Springer, and pitchers Verlander, Gerrit Cole and Charlie Morton. A. J. Hinch was manager for the American League. Bregman was recognized with the All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award (MVP), the first Houston Astro so named.

Houston pitching combined to establish new MLB records with 1,687 strikeouts, 96 games with 10 or more strikeouts, and became the first team in history to strike out 5 or more batters in each of 162 games.

The Astros concluded the regular season on September 30 against the Baltimore Orioles, capping off an unprecedented second consecutive 100-win season and AL West championship. With a 103–59 record, this surpassed the 1998 club for the most regular-season wins in franchise history, which was exceeded the following year. This was the 12th postseason qualification and ninth division title overall in franchise history.

Houston swept the Cleveland Indians in the American League Division Series (ALDS) to advance to the American League Championship Series (ALCS), where they lost in five games to the Boston Red Sox.

Following the season, Altuve won his fifth consecutive Silver Slugger Award, and pitcher Dallas Keuchel won his fourth Gold Glove Award. Additionally, Verlander, who led the league with 290 strikeouts, and also had a 16–9 W–L, and 2.52 earned run average (ERA), finished as runner-up for the AL Cy Young Award for the second time in three years, and built upon a late-career renaissance.